Use Scroogle, Not Google

After my last “encounter” with Wikipedia (which is now blocked by my router’s URL filter so I don’t give them any accidental traffic), I went searching about other people’s issues with the site. While browsing over several sites dedicated to exposing Wikipedia for how horrible it is, I also came across other sites about Google. Now, I am full aware of Google’s privacy issues, data mining, and ad revenue pursuits. The problem is that, as much as I want to use another search engine, the others that I’ve tried are just absolutely poor at returning useful results and have their own issues with privacy, ads, and data mining.

Then, I ran across this site, Scroogle, brought to you from the guys at Google Watch. You can start using their SSL-enabled search here. Scroogle queries Google’s database, but strips all the tracking capabilities of Google as well as their ads. Good, now I’ve finally found a replacement for my homepage.

And, yes, I am aware that Blogspot and Google are one in the same. I just think of this as having the Google Machine having to host my views on their creation until I move to another blogging host.

Update: I’ve moved my blog over to WordPress.com. Unless the Google Machine acquires this site, I think I’ll stick with this place instead of Blogspot.com.